AL HAMNIK: Thanks for the many good memories, Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS | With all apologies to Bob Hope, here are my best Super Bowl XLVI memories.

Downtown Traffic: Traveling by car anywhere near Super Bowl Village was the ultimate test of patience and endurance. There were often more fans in the streets than cars. To creep along for six or seven blocks, then discover the street is suddenly closed and traffic rerouted, was maddening.

The Great Escape: At the magnificent JW Marriott, where most celebrities stayed, hundreds of fans gathered whenever a string of limos or Black SUVs with tinted windows were idling out front. With cameras poised and ready, fans waited for security to escort such celebrities as Adam Sandler, Madonna, Jimmy Fallon, Tim Tebow, Alec Baldwin, Ron Pearlman and Snoop Dog to their rides.

Gotcha! Those vehicles were often decoys. Unknown to the public, VIPs would leave through the Marriott's private underground garage.

Furious Finish IV: New York's 21-17 win over the Patriots marked the fourth time in Super Bowl history the winning touchdown was scored in the final minute. Three have come in the last five Super Bowls.

Best Laugh Of The Week: While hosting the NFL Honors show Saturday night, a spiffy Alec Baldwin took shots at Aaron Rodgers' signature Discount Double Check move, commissioner Roger Goodell, the Kardashians, Madonna and Tim Tebow, mocking the latter by getting down one knee and Tebowing him on stage.

Sunday night, following its pregame performance at Lucas Oil Stadium, the Indiana Marching Band struck a Tebow pose while taking a knee.

Making Sweet Music: A stirring rendition of "America The Beautiful" by the husband-wife team of Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert had many of the 68,000 fans at Lucas Oil Stadium, including players, wiping away tears.

"I didn't cry, but almost," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said.

Have a Super Bowl Sunday: Our media shuttle bus driver, a nice lady named Grace, was twice cut off by motorists and had to carefully maneuver around jubilant Giants fans in the street as we returned Sunday night. It took Grace 15 minutes to drive three blocks but she never leaned on the horn or shook her fist in frustration.

"We find it easier to smile here," she said. "It's Hoosier Hospitality at its best."

Saddest Quote: "Biggest moment of my life and I don't come up with it. Blame me," the Patriots' Wes Welker said of the pass he dropped with 4 minutes to go and his team ahead 17-15.

Most Timely Quote: QB Tom Brady, in defense of his sure-handed receiver, said: "He's a helluva player. I'll keep throwing the ball to him for as long as I possibly can. He's a phenomenal player and teammate and I love that guy."

Strangest Sight: Waking up Monday and seeing empty streets, empty restaurants, shuttered Super Bowl venues and no traffic.

This column solely represents the writer's opinion. Reach him at al.hamnik@nwi.com.